Rams can no longer run and hide from rookie weapons as it's on them for Week 3
By Bret Stuter
Rookie RB Blake Corum
Whatever the plan was in terms of using rookie RB Blake Corum this season, the team has to accelerate that timetable. This offense may have expected to run their offense through WR Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, but neither weapon is healthy enough to play in Week 3. That means that the team must find other offensive outlets to put up yards. One option has to be getting rookie RB Blake Corum involved in the offense this week.
The option is not really an option in that sense of the word, any more than Beaux Limmer is an option to play at the team's center position. The Rams are not dealing with injuries to the running back position. It's actually worse.
RB Kyren Williams is merely a pale shadow in 2024 of his robust 2023 production:
The unexpected lack of production from the running game has placed far too much pressure on a passing game that is trying to remain effective behind a new iteration of a patchwork offensive line. Meanwhile the lack of a rushing offense has a young defense on the football field far too long and too often. The results are what we've seen already.
While the Rams offense may not suddenly plow ahead for 200+ rushing yards by giving rookie RB Blake Corum some carries, how much worse can this get? The offense needs to find a spark, and right now that spark could come from Blake Corum. He was certainly the offensive engine for the Michigan Wolverines in 2023.
Per Sharp Analytics, the Rams' use of 11 personnel on offense continues to be the team's bread and butter, as 99 percent of the offensive plays start with that personnel grouping. But the Rams roster holds far too few healthy wide receivers and far too many running backs and tight ends to continue that composition.
It's time to get more running backs and tight ends involved in this offense. That has to start now.
As always, thanks for reading.